I've had my aircon fuse out for a while now as the belt was slipping and it was doing my head in. As the sun is shining I finally got round to sorting the belt. Unfortunately the clutch on the compressor isn't engaging now. I've checked the relay - that's fine and the fuse. When I shorted out the output side of the relay contacts and the clutch kicked in fine (and the belt didn't squeal!).

 

Any ideas? Can the ECU be preventing the aircon starting? Its adjusting the tick over to compensate ok.

 

Cheers

 

David

YO silverfox.

I have had this problem befor on other vehicles and the problem has always been that when the gas pressure gets low a switch on the aircon condenser or there abouts

switches the aircon pump off to stop damage to the compressor.

the problem has probably caused by not using the aircon as the molecules of gas are so small they get through rubber and steel pipes,when you run the system, say once a day if pos you equalise the pressure each side of the compressor and thus do not have a side that has a high pressure so leaks slower.

If you get your a/c re gassed the switch will allow the pump to start.

(as explained to me in great detail by my friendly air con man.

YO silverfox.

I have had this problem befor on other vehicles and the problem has always been that when the gas pressure gets low a switch on the aircon condenser or there abouts

switches the aircon pump off to stop damage to the compressor.

the problem has probably caused by not using the aircon as the molecules of gas are so small they get through rubber and steel pipes,when you run the system, say once a day if pos you equalise the pressure each side of the compressor and thus do not have a side that has a high pressure so leaks slower.

If you get your a/c re gassed the switch will allow the pump to start.

(as explained to me in great detail by my friendly air con man.

 

ah, that sounds plausible, its been a good while since I've used it.

 

anyway that theory can be tested? where would the sensor for the gas pressure be?

 

cheers

 

David

Not sure about that i,m afraid as I have only had my zx a couple of weeks

but I will soon when I get it gassed as my aircon isnt working either but I expect low gas pressure to be the problem.

On past cars I have shorted out two of the three or four wires that go to

a switch in the top of the condenser (I think thats what its called but not sure its a cylinder about three inches in diameter and about six inches tall

with a small window in the top through which you can see the liquid gas passing from a pipe into the cylinder.

Switches out at less then 30psi pressure left in the aircon or basically about empty. Zed aircon can reach hundreds of psi.

 

Dont understand the need to drop out the fuse - dont you have an econ button?

 

Also the aircon compressor needs running periodically to stop seals gettin ruined

Switches out at less then 30psi pressure left in the aircon or basically about empty. Zed aircon can reach hundreds of psi.

 

Dont understand the need to drop out the fuse - dont you have an econ button?

 

Also the aircon compressor needs running periodically to stop seals gettin ruined

 

Yeah I used econ button a lot but every time I tried to de-mist my windows it squealed like a pig. wish I sorted the belt earlier, I just got the compressor fitted and the system gassed last summer. May well pay the price for that laziness!

 

David

YO silverfox.

I have had this problem befor on other vehicles and the problem has always been that when the gas pressure gets low a switch on the aircon condenser or there abouts

switches the aircon pump off to stop damage to the compressor.

the problem has probably caused by not using the aircon as the molecules of gas are so small they get through rubber and steel pipes,when you run the system, say once a day if pos you equalise the pressure each side of the compressor and thus do not have a side that has a high pressure so leaks slower.

If you get your a/c re gassed the switch will allow the pump to start.

(as explained to me in great detail by my friendly air con man.

 

you weren't wrong. Finally got the system regassed and it's working a treat :cool: